Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Repeated 'running but is not responding' and 'profile missing' dialogue boxes despite following guidance to solve problem.

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
  • 22 views
  • Paskiausią atsakymą parašė cor-el

more options

I’m experiencing a repeated problem with Firefox. It hangs after closing. The following happens:

1. ‘Close Firefox’ dialogue box opens, reading: ‘Firefox is already running, but is not responding. The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window.’

I click ‘Close Firefox’. The the following happens:

2. ‘Profile Missing’ dialogue box opens, reading: ‘Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible’

The above process repeats, even if I create and use a new profile. I cannot close Firefox completely, in Task Manager. Always at least one Firefox remains open as a Background Process. When my laptop is shut down/restarted, Firefox will open once but pages load very slowly, if at all, even in a new profile. Once Firefox is closed (even using ‘Exit’, through the menu), the process repeats. It also takes many attempts to load Firefox Profile Manager.

I am using the most up-to-date Firefox on Windows 8.1.

Steps I have tried: Closing Firefox in Task Manager/Ending Firefox Processes. Restarting computer. Clearing cookies and cache. Restarting Firefox in Safe Mode. Uninstalling and reinstalling. Refreshing Firefox (keeping bookmarks, etc). Creating a new profile. Renaming profiles.ini folder (profilesOLD.ini). Scanned for malware (with Malware Bytes).

Threads that I’ve looked at on support.mozilla.org: Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems Firefox hangs or is not responding - Firefox hangs when you quit it Refresh Firefox – reset add-ons and settings “Firefox is already running but is not responding” error message – How to fix it Support Forum - Task manager won’t close firefox already running but not responding Use the Profile Manager to create and remove Firefox Profiles How to run Firefox when your profile is missing or inaccessible

So far, nothing has resolved the issue, after hours spent trying. Please can someone offer a possible solution?

Thank you.

I’m experiencing a repeated problem with Firefox. It hangs after closing. The following happens: 1. ‘Close Firefox’ dialogue box opens, reading: ‘Firefox is already running, but is not responding. The old Firefox process must be closed to open a new window.’ I click ‘Close Firefox’. The the following happens: 2. ‘Profile Missing’ dialogue box opens, reading: ‘Your Firefox profile cannot be loaded. It may be missing or inaccessible’ The above process repeats, even if I create and use a new profile. I cannot close Firefox completely, in Task Manager. Always at least one Firefox remains open as a Background Process. When my laptop is shut down/restarted, Firefox will open once but pages load very slowly, if at all, even in a new profile. Once Firefox is closed (even using ‘Exit’, through the menu), the process repeats. It also takes many attempts to load Firefox Profile Manager. I am using the most up-to-date Firefox on Windows 8.1. Steps I have tried: Closing Firefox in Task Manager/Ending Firefox Processes. Restarting computer. Clearing cookies and cache. Restarting Firefox in Safe Mode. Uninstalling and reinstalling. Refreshing Firefox (keeping bookmarks, etc). Creating a new profile. Renaming profiles.ini folder (profilesOLD.ini). Scanned for malware (with Malware Bytes). Threads that I’ve looked at on support.mozilla.org: Troubleshoot and diagnose Firefox problems Firefox hangs or is not responding - Firefox hangs when you quit it Refresh Firefox – reset add-ons and settings “Firefox is already running but is not responding” error message – How to fix it Support Forum - Task manager won’t close firefox already running but not responding Use the Profile Manager to create and remove Firefox Profiles How to run Firefox when your profile is missing or inaccessible So far, nothing has resolved the issue, after hours spent trying. Please can someone offer a possible solution? Thank you.

All Replies (1)

more options

Boot the computer in Windows Safe mode with network support to see if that has effect in case security software is causing problems.